In preparation for tournaments, the girls’ golf team works throughout the fall practicing at Balcones Country Club for around two hours every B day. Practices entail the team getting a choice between working on individual skills such as putting, chipping etc. or playing on the course itself.
“After seventh period I go to the portable to pick up my golf bag and then I get a ride from the upperclassmen, whoever comes first. I get in their car and they take me to practice. We get changed in the locker room, putt for a while and then we either play or practice on the range,” Sophomore Abby Soyeon Won said. “I like to play (on the course) because I do not like practicing but you know I still gotta thug it out with my friend Amelie and Vivian and all the others”.
When not practicing, the girls go to tournaments where their days can look a little different. In preparation for tournaments Soyeon mentions the importance of getting extra practice to feel prepared. She also focuses on eating a big dinner the night before and getting good sleep.
“I go to practice the day before for sure and I try to stay a little longer,” Soyeon says. “Plenty of sleep. I always clean my clubs, I always pack my snacks before and I always choose the outfits I’m gonna wear. I have to get my seven hours.”
Like all sports, golf can also come with its challenges. Soyeon finds her biggest challenge in staying focused during games.
“After bad holes I try my best to shake it off and move on,” Soyeon said. “You can’t be stuck in the previous hole that you played really bad in or you’re going to play bad in your next hole. If this keeps coming up like a cycle, it messes with your head even more. So to stay focused, I just like to take a deep breath, take my time as well as just get a lot of encouragement from Coach Hoover”
Another challenge frequently mentioned by golfers on the team is balancing school life and golf practice, as well has the toll it takes on them mentally when not playing well
“What I don’t like is the emotional stress if you’re not playing well. It’s also hard to stay consistent and you have to keep practicing everyday,”Junior Emma Wood, a varsity player on the team said. “It can be hard (balancing school and golf) especially if you have tests and a bunch of tournaments coming up, especially if you’re not playing good too.”
Despite the occasional stress, Wood says one of her favorite things about golf is being able to meet and connect with people.
“For me, I get to play with my dad, so that’s a really big part. My dads played since he was like really young and I started going into it freshman year so he’s taught me some basics but we get to play golf together like once every other week so it’s fun,” Wood said. “It’s our little outing and he goes to all my tournaments so it’s really good support. I’m just trying to beat him now but he’s pretty good.”
Despite being a solitary sport, Soyeon said golfing can be a very socially enriching experience.
“I think the friends (are the best part of golf) because everyone is so welcoming,” Soyeon said. “As well as Coach Hoover who is very supportive of us, he never treats us like we’re bad players and he always treats us equally, always gives us opportunities to play at tournaments.”
As the girls golf team continues to prepare for tournaments, they focus not only on practicing but building friendships and memories for this year.
“I love playing with my friends, it’s so therapeutic and golf always tests my limits,” Soyeon said.
